Spartan Chassis Secures Military Defense Orders

CHARLOTTE, Mich., May 23, 2005 -- Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of
Spartan Motors, Inc.
, today announced that it has received subcontract orders from Force
Protection, Inc., a Charleston, S.C.-based manufacturer
of ballistic and mine-protected military vehicles, to supply and
integrate key chassis components and assist in the manufacture
of military defense vehicles.

The prime procurement contract awarded to Force Protection by the U.S.
Department of Defense on May 13, 2005 is for approximately
120 Cougar Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal ("EOD") Engineering
Response Vehicles. Spartan Chassis said it has received
purchase orders representing revenues in excess of $13 million.

The contract, funded as a result of recommendations by the Joint
Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Task Force, was awarded
in response to the demand for increased protection for U.S. troops
abroad. Crudely assembled and easy to make, improvised
explosive devices ("IED") have emerged as the biggest threat to service
members in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Cougar vehicles
will be used in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the first deliveries expected
to reach the field by early fall 2005.

"As the Global War on Terror progresses, the needs of the U.S. military
change," said John Sztykiel, CEO of Spartan Motors,
Inc. "Those fluctuating needs create an opportunity in a micro-niche
where Spartan Chassis can quickly respond to the demand
for innovative and immediate solutions."

Spartan Chassis President Richard Schalter added: "The Cougar vehicles
developed by Force Protection fill an urgent and compelling
need and have been requested, by name, from commands actively engaged in
the Global War on Terror. They provide critical
protection and mobility for our troops, and we are proud to be able to
help in the fight. We know we can deliver key components
and greatly assist Force Protection with this strategically important,
American-made response to the proliferation of IEDs."

"Spartan Chassis is a leader in automotive engineering and quality
manufacturing of specialty, heavy-weight vehicle chassis.
We will leverage their experience to dramatically increase our
production rate on the Cougar H Series line," said Force Protection
CEO Gordon McGilton. "We are proud to have them as a vital part of our
team as we continue to supply U.S. troops with life-saving
technology. Working with Spartan Chassis, there is no question we will
be able to field more vehicles, increasing our production
to meet pressing demands."

The Cougar H series is a new-to-market family of medium-sized blast-
protected vehicles and is produced in both four- and
six-wheel configurations. It can be customized for multiple tasks
including urban patrol, route clearance support, troop transport,
mine and explosive ordnance disposal, command and control,
reconnaissance and as a lead convoy vehicle. Relatively few Cougars
have been deployed in active theaters of operations.

Powerful IEDs -- set off by cell phones, doorbells, toy remotes and
tripwires -- are now the leading cause of death among
U.S. soldiers in Iraq. The U.S. military is responding to the IED threat
through improvements in personal body armor, improved
vehicle armoring, electronic counter-measures, greater situational
awareness and improved training and operational focus.

"The Cougar Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicle was the first hardened
engineered vehicle delivered to Marine Expeditionary Forces
last October. It has been a success in dramatically upgrading
protection levels for Marines involved in highly dangerous
activities such as detection and removal of explosive devices used by
terrorists," said Mr. Joseph B. Murgo, Program Manager
for the Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicle, Marine Corps Systems
Command.

While the Cougar has been used on a limited basis by the Marines in Iraq
since last fall, this contract marks the first time
that other military services will use the armored vehicle.

"This joint order is a clear indication that our vehicles are recognized
for the solution they provide to the threat of IEDs,
land mines and roadside bombs," said McGilton. "Our soldiers, sailors,
marines and airmen deserve the very best protection
possible against these threats, and they find it in our vehicles."

Force Protection also produces the Buffalo, a heavyweight
blast-protected vehicle designed principally for mine clearing activities.
Like the Cougar, the Buffalo integrates a blast-resistant capsule with
an American-made truck engine and drive train.

About Spartan Chassis, Inc.:

Spartan Chassis, Inc. (http://www.spartanchassis.com/ ) is a subsidiary
of Spartan Motors, Inc. and is a leading developer and manufacturer of
custom chassis for recreational
vehicles and fire trucks. The company has a reputation for high
quality, value, service and being the first to market with
innovative products. Spartan Motors is publicly traded in the NASDAQ
Stock Market under the ticker symbol SPAR.

About Force Protection, Inc.:

Headquartered near Charleston, South Carolina, Force Protection, Inc.
(OTCBB: FRPT) manufactures ballistic and mine protected
vehicles through its subsidiary. These specialty vehicles are designed
to offer significant protection against landmines,
hostile fire and IEDs. For more information about Force Protection,
visit http://www.forceprotectioninc.com/ .